A closed adoption is a type of adoption in which the adoptive family and the birth parents share little to no contact with one another. The identifying information generally remains confidential, and details such as last names and personal contact information are often not shared between the birth and adoptive parents. Closed adoptions were the most traditional and popular type of adoption, peaking in the decades of the post-World War II Baby Scoop Era, but they still exist today alongside the practice of open adoption. Closed adoptions are useful for birth parents who wish to move on from the guilt and shame of placing a child for adoption, and for people who feel threatened and vulnerable by their decision to place a child for adoption. However, closed adoptions have been increasingly criticized in recent years as being unfair to both the adoptee and their birth parents. Some of the cons of a closed adoption include:

• Lack of information: Adoptees may not have access to important medical or genetic information.

• Lack of connection: Adoptees may feel a sense of loss or disconnection from their birth family.

• Lack of control: Birth parents may feel like they have no control over their childs life or well-being.

• Difficulty in searching for birth family: Adoptees may face challenges in searching for their birth family due to lack of information.

Its important to note that even if a prospective birth parent wishes to have a closed adoption, they are still in charge of their adoption plan. If they wish, they can still choose their child’s adoptive family and may even decide to have some contact with them before the adoption.